(Updated 3:10 p.m.) The Philippine military on Monday launched a helicopter assault on Moro National Liberation Front fighters who have occupied parts of Zamboanga City, as the crisis entered its eighth day.

The Zamboanga City government's Twitter account posted at 12:38 p.m. noted that the Philippine Air Force staged a "targeted air strike" at noon Monday on MNLF positions in the beleaguered City as part of military operations in the area.

The air strike was confirmed by 1st Infantry Division spokesperson Capt. Jefferson Somera, who said three rockets were fired from two MG520 helicopters towards an unspecified enemy stronghold between 1 to 1:30 pm on Monday.

Government troops and MNLF fighters have been engaged in a fire fight since Monday, Sept. 9. – With Agence France-Presse and Rie Takumi/VS/RSJ, GMA News